The second generation:  William O'Neall, the first(?) Quaker

Before considering the life of William O'Neall, we'd just like to mention what we find to be one of the fascinating things about these folks (the Quakers), i.e., their incessant intermingling of families.  Just to mention one example (but there will be more),  Abijah and Hugh O'Neall,  two Quaker brothers, grandsons of the aforementioned immigrant, both married girls named Anne (or Anna) Kelly, who were cousins, sharing a common grandfather, Samuel Kelly, a Friend originally from King's County (now County Offaly), Ireland.  Samuel Kelly's wife was Hannah Belton, of Queen's County (now County Laois).  This close mingling of families was typical of Quakers, who were not allowed to marry outside of their faith and who therefore had a somewhat limited choice of mates.

As far as we know, Hugh's oldest son, William, was the first Quaker in our line.   (I say "as far as we know", since it has been conjectured that William's father, Hugh, was a Quaker and that the search for freedom of religion was one of his reasons for coming to the New World.) During his generation, the family moved to South Carolina, where it witnessed the American Revolution.  William's biography discusses both these subjects, with examples written by William's grandson and the image of an interesting and -- we think --  moving document from the South Carolina State Archives. 

As of December 2002, we have completely updated the narrative of William's descendants, including those whose name was not O'Neall or some variant therof. We invite you to consult the Descendants of William and Mary Frost O'Neall. You can also view an index and a source bibliography.

The third generation:  Abijah O'Neall, the pioneer, participant in the founding of Miami Monthly Meeting

Of William's offspring, one, Abijah, was especially important because

• he was one of the early pioneers who, with his brother-in-law, Samuel Kelly, fled from South Carolina to Ohio in order to get away from the institution of slavery;
• upon arrival in Ohio he was instrumental in the founding and construction of the Miami Meeting House of the Society of Friends;
• he was my ancestor.

After his arrival in Waynesville, the Miami Monthly Meeting was set up, in December 1801.  Construction took place the following year.  As the Centennial proceedings 100 years later pointed out, the "logs for its construction were drawn together with oxen by William O'Neall, then nine years of age -- son of Abijah and Anna (Kelly) O'Neall."

In addition to being a farmer and part-time wagoner (like his father), Abijah was a surveyor.  You can see one of his own drawings here.

When Abijah died, in 1823, two of his sons were executors of his estate and sold off his property.  A contemporary newspaper announcement of the sale and the objects to be sold has been conserved.

This would be a logical moment to read the story of the farm Abijah founded:  The Birches, being the history of the O'Neall farm near Waynesville, Ohio, inhabited by them for over 130 years.  There is another article concerning the family farm, Diamond Hill, being the history of the brick house built by Abijah O'Neall on his land near Waynesville, Ohio.

Later generations:  Abijah's children

• The fourth generation:  We have already mentioned Abijah's son William in the piece on "The Birches", as well as his participating as a boy in the construction of the first Miami Meeting House.  In addition, a contemporary event is described in The First Interment in Miami Cemetery, being just what the title speaks of, a sad tale, told by another of Abijah's sons, also named Abijah, to his own nephew, George Thomas O'Neall..
• The fifth generation:  William's son, Abijah Porter O'Neall, raised ponies and was discussed (with picture) in the same piece.  Great grandpa Abijah's brother, George Thomas O'Neall, was one of my favorite ancestors.  He was a farmer, but read enormously and possessed a fine library.  He became an amateur writer, responsible for numerous newspaper articles as well as the already cited article, "The Life and Times of Abijah O'Neall".  There'll be an article on him coming up soon, as well as more articles written by him..
• The sixth generation:  Ditto for William Elias O'Neall, raiser of the famous hog.  (Hope you didn't miss that!)
• The seventh generation:  Some of them are still alive and kicking.  A picture was included in the mention of who we are, at the beginning of this page.
• The eighth generation:  Hey, that's us!  If you want to take the tour in the other direction (going back in history from the present), try my Ahnentafel (ancestor table).
• The ninth and tenth generations:  That's my sister's children and their children, but we'll wait for them to tell their own stories ... one day.